Resistance phenotype-genotype correlation and molecular epidemiology of Citrobacter, Enterobacter, Proteus, Providencia, Salmonella and Serratia that carry extended-spectrum β-lactamases with or without plasmid-mediated AmpC β-lactamase genes in Thailand.

Extended-spectrum β-lactamases (ESBLs) and plasmid-mediated AmpC β-lactamases (pAmpCs) have been increasingly reported among less commonly encountered genera of Enterobacteriaceae. However, little is known regarding the genetic characteristics of resistance genes and epidemiology of these genera. Lack of accurate ESBL and pAmpC detection may adversely affect therapeutic outcomes. This study investigated resistance phenotype-genotype correlation and molecular epidemiology among six genera of Enterobacteriaceae (Citrobacter, Enterobacter, Proteus, Providencia, Salmonella and Serratia) that carried ESBL with or without pAmpC genes at a university hospital in Thailand. From a total of 562 isolates, 105 isolates (18.7%) had ESBL-positive phenotype whilst 140 isolates (24.9%) harboured one or more ESBL genes. CTX-M and TEM were common ESBL-related bla genes among these isolates. The sensitivity and specificity of ESBL phenotypic detection as opposed to ESBL gene detection were 70.7% and 98.6%, respectively. pAmpC genes were detected in 96 ESBL gene-carrying isolates (68.6%) and significantly caused false negative detection of ESBL. Molecular typing based on pulsed-field gel electrophoresis revealed several clones that may be endemic in this hospital. This study indicated a high prevalence of ESBLs and pAmpCs among less common members of the family Enterobacteriaceae in Thailand and these resistant bacteria need to be monitored.